Thursday, March 8, 2012

"I am the I AM"

Phil is a sophomore/junior majoring in Music. He really enjoys studying the word and working with YFC on Thursdays.

Of
all the "I am" statements in the Gospel of John it is perhaps the
line in John 8:58, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I
AM" that reveals the most to us as believers. In one breath Christ claims
both pre-existence and exclusive divinity with the Father. He provocatively
proclaims the mystery of His unity with the Father and His glorious supremacy
in all things. This holds monumental implications for us. Jesus continues to
reinforce Himself by saying " I and the Father are one," (John 10:30)
and "He has seen Me you has seen the Father" (John 14:9). This truth
is a great blessing because it enables us to see the Father through the Son.
Yet, it also presents us a challenge because that truth requires seeing the
Father to be seeing Jesus. Just as when we see the love, mercy, and boldness of
Jesus we then see the same in the Father. But, this means that when we see the
righteousness, holiness, justice, and glory of the Father they necessarily
reflect on our understanding of Jesus. Simply the beauty of the Father in the
Old Testament teaches us with the Gospels about our Lord and Savior. The
challenge then during this season of Lent is to look back and reflect on the
Father in the Old Testament in order to cherish more completely the Son we
embrace.